In-state vs. out-of-state tuition at Iowa State
Iowa State University charges $10,787 a year in published tuition and fees for Iowa residents, about $5,394 a semester, and $28,881 a year for students from other states, about $14,440 a semester. That is a difference of $18,094 a year. About 42% of first-year students came from out of state. You may pay less if receiving grants or scholarships. Compare out-of-state tuition at 100 public universities →
What makes Iowa State different
- Small groups in a big school. Iowa State has more than 80 learning communities, where students take classes with peers who share their interests.
- Engineering and agriculture. Mechanical engineering is its most common degree, and 57% of graduates earn STEM degrees.
- Rolling admission. Applications are reviewed as they arrive, starting July 1 before the fall of entry.
What Iowa State students study
The most common bachelor's degrees (class of 2024): mechanical engineering (369), marketing (245), exercise science and kinesiology (234), animal sciences (222), finance (215) and psychology (204). Source: IPEDS Completions, first majors only.
You may thrive at Iowa State if…
- You're drawn to engineering, agriculture, design or the sciences.
- You want a college town where the university is the center of things.
- You'd like a small community inside a big school.
Worth asking about
- Which learning community would fit my major?
- What do career fairs look like in my field?
How Iowa State compares with the other Big 12 schools
Iowa State is one of the Big 12's founding members, with deep roots in engineering and agriculture. See how the 16 Big 12 schools differ.
FAQ
What is Iowa State University's acceptance rate? 87.9% for fall 2025: 21,652 of 24,625 first-year applicants were admitted, according to its Common Data Set 2025–26. Source For fall 2024 it was 88.7%.
What is Iowa State's out-of-state acceptance rate? 91.1% for fall 2025, compared with 92.1% for Iowa residents. Iowa State admitted 14,133 of 15,521 out-of-state applicants and 5,452 of 5,921 Iowa residents, according to Iowa State's Common Data Set for 2025–26. Source International applicants are counted separately. Out-of-state tuition and fees are $28,881 a year before aid; you may pay less if receiving grants or scholarships. Compare out-of-state acceptance rates at public universities →
How much is Iowa State tuition per semester? About $5,394 a semester for Iowa residents and $14,440 for out-of-state students, based on published yearly tuition and fees of $10,787 and $28,881 before aid.
Is Iowa State an R1 university? Yes. In the 2025 Carnegie Classifications, Iowa State University is an R1 university, the group with the highest research spending and doctoral degrees. What R1 means →
How many students go to Iowa State? About 25,400 undergraduates (fall 2024).
What is Iowa State known for? Engineering, agriculture, learning communities and its Ames college town.
How much does Iowa State cost? Published tuition and fees are $10,787 a year in-state and $28,881 out-of-state, before any aid.
Wondering if engineering fits you?
Lens's Major Ideas suggest which areas may suit your interests and strengths. Start with Lens →